[AntiGuv]

Effort to destroy Iraqi missiles almost falls at the first hurdle

But it didn't. So who cares? Almost means "almost" which might as well mean "didn't". This is a diplomatic game at this point, and little more, in which case "almost" means nothing...

[Amelia]

Almost means "almost" which might as well mean "didn't". This is a diplomatic game at this point, and little more, in which case "almost" means nothing...

Considering that less than 1% of the missiles have yet been destroyed, it might as well have failed...and you're right, at this point, it means nothing in any case.